The name Nimi a Lukeni appeared in later oral traditions and some modern historians, notably Jean Cuvelier, popularized it.

This gave rise to a story, where Lukeni lua Nimi was forced to kill a pregnant female relative as she did not want to pay the toll.

[2]: 109 Although he comes from Vungu (or Bungu), located in Mayombe (between the present-day Republic of Congo and the present-day Democratic Republic of Congo),[3][4] he is traditionally credited with conquering the region of modern-day Mbanza Kongo, displacing a local ruler named Mwene Kabunga or Mwene Mpangala and building his capital there (traditionally draining a lake),[5]: 28  taking the title of Ntinu and founding the state of Kongo.

Some sources attribute the conquest of the Inkisi valley to Lukeni lua Nimi, ending in the annexation of Nsundi and then Mpangu.

[2]: 114 He probably died young, as his son (not an adult at the time of his death), Nkuwu a Ntinu, was not allowed to succeed him, with the title being passed to Lukeni's cousin, Nanga of Kongo.